Razor



Sept- 11, 1951 R. P. HARSHBERGER 2,567,375

RAZOR Filed April 27,. 194e 2 sheets-sheet 1 QM Sell F? Q4o4r'shbevger as-w.,

Sept. 11, 1951 R. P. HARSHBERGER 2,567,375

RAZOR Filed April 27, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 A mvaN-fgw 'mussen pq'tQYhberger- (HT-romanj Patented Sept. l1, 1951` UNI-'TED STATES PATENT OFFICE RAZOR,

Russell P. Harshberger, Altadena, Calif.

Application April 27, 1948, Serial No. 23,452

tion ory oscillation of thecutting element isA entirely satisfactory for all individual users having different thicknessesof beard. On the contrary, for most efficient: results, the amplitude should be relatively large for heavy beards, and correspondingly smaller for relatively lighter beards. In fact, shaving requirements in these respects are found to vary over a very wide range. Accordingly, the, primary object of the present invention is to provide a razor of the foregoing character having means for adjusting the amplitude of vibration of the cutting element selectively at thewill of the user to` satisfy different individual shaving requirements.

Another object is to provide a razor; with a vibratory cutting element in which the amplitude of vibration is readily adjustable to different selective degrees merely by tapping the razor or razor head appropriately against a solid-surface.

A further object is to provide such a vibration adjusting means which is self-contained and fully enclosed within the razor housing and does not require direct actuation from the exterior, thereby avoiding the necessity forl any access opening through which moisture mightpenetrate to the interior.

Another object is to provide such a vibration adjusting means which is simple and inexpensive in construction, and efcient and reliable in operation.

Further. objects and advantages will becom apparenty as the description proceeds.

In the accompanying drawings, Fig. l is a side elevational view, partially in longitudinal section through the head end and on an enlarged scale, of a razor embodying the features of the present invention. Y

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary axial sectional view of the razor, on a still larger scale, through the vibration creating and adjusting means.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary axial sectional view taken along line 3 3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken along line 4 4 of Fig. 2.

Figs. 5 to 8 are transverse sectional views respectively illustrating the vibration adjusting means in four different selective positions of adjustment for varying the amplitude of vibration.

Referring more particularly to the drawngs, the razor, constituting the exemplary embodiment of the invention. is, of the general type dis- 2, l closed in my prior Letters Patent Nos. 2,319,815 and 2,362., 998,. comprising an elongated hollow casing I0 conveniently dimensioned and shaped for the grasp of the user', a cutter head I I on one end,V and a driving mechanism I2 on the other end.

The cutter head II comprises a bed I3; disposed crosswi'se against the outer end surface of an outwardly tapered end wall section I4 for the casing III. A double-edgedsafety razor blade I5 is adapted to be removably positioned against'the outer face of the bed I3. The blade I5 isV adapted to be iiexed and clamped in, cutting positioni against the bed I3 by an ('Jverlying, arcuate cap I6. A clamp screw I 'l having a head anchored the cap I16 and extending through registering openings in the cap, blade and bed into an axial threaded bore AI 8 in the wall section I4 serves vto secure these parts removably into rigid assembled relation.

As disclosed. inthe aforesaid patents, a" guard circumscribes` and is yieldably connected for relative 4vibratory movement to the bed I3. More particularly, `the guard comprises a krectangular frame constructed of end bars I9v (one-shown) rigidly connected by spaced parallelr'ods or' side membersZU adapted to bevheldvin contact vwith the face ofthe user. Flatl leaf springs 2| serve to connect the bars I9, andhence the guard, yieldably to opposite ends of 'the bed I3. In operation, vibratory or gyratory motions imparted to the headend of the casing I0 will cause relative reciprocation between the blade I5 and the guardelements 20, particularly when*v one or the other of the latter are held against the skin of the user.

Details of thehhead construction II per se as heretofore describedv form, n o partof the present invention, and may be `varied, as desired, so long as the head permits a relative reciprocatory or oscillatory movement of the cutting element or blade I5 in response to the vibratory motion of the casing section I0. For a further and more complete. understanding of the general'` principle of operation,.reference maybe had to my aforesaid patents. I K

Suitable poweroperated means 22 is provided Within theA head end of the casing II! for imparting a vibratory action thereto, and is. operable by a rotary drive shaft. 23 extending therefrom axially through the casing. Preferably, the drive shaft 2.3, is tubular inform. Apivot pin 24, fixed in a coaxial bore 25.A in the'wall IA, extends' into the headend. of 'the shaft 23 toy provide a Abearing support therefor. The other end ofthe Shaft iS and which has an axial sleeve 21 secured with" a press lit to the shaft 23. Two anchor pins 28 k and 29 are secured to the weight 26 at diametrically opposite points, and project -from one side thereof in parallel relation tothe shaft 23. An l arcuate governor weight 30 is pivotally supported at one end on the pin 28, and extends in spacedrelation along and conforms generally to the inner curvature of the head end of the casing i0. Outward swinging movement of the weight 30 in response to centrifugal force is yieldably resisted by a leaf or bow spring 3| which is anchored at one end to the pin 29 and operatively connected at the other end to the weight 30 at a point adjacent the pin 28.- Thus, the weights. 26 and 30 are located mainly at one side of the axis of rotation so that they will impart an oscillatory or gyratory action to the cutter headk Il, and thereby eilect arelative vibration or reciprocation between the blade l and the guard AI9, 20.

Mounted in the outer arcuate face of the governor weight. adjacent the point at which the spring 3| is anchored thereto is a projection 32 -inthe form of an insert of wear-resisting material, such, for example, as a laminated phenol condensation product. The projection 32 constitutes a brake shoe which is adapted to be moved into wiping engagement with the inner surface Y of the casing, thereby limiting Athe outward swinging movement of the weight 30, and cooper-` ating with the spring 3| to control the speed of rotation.

The amplitude of vibration of thecutter. head ||4 is responsive to the degree of eccentricity of the revoluble massyandtherefore is influenced by the distribution of the mass about the axis of the shaft 23. Accordingly, provision is made to adjust the polar distribution of .the mass selec- `tively so as to vary the amplitudeof vibration. To this end, the revolving mass is provided also with a secondary weight 33 in the form of an arcuate segment swiveled at the apex on the shaft 23. As shown, the weight 33 comprisesa flat triangular plate disposed adjacent that side or face of the weight 26 opposite-the governor weight 30. Normally, the weight 33 is keyed for revolution with the weights 26 and 30. However', the weight 33 is subject to angular adjustment so as to augment, or to detract in varying degree Yfrom the eiective mass of the weights 26, 30 and 33, thereby determining the eccentricity of the aggregate mass. r

'Io-.facilitate angular adjustment of the weight 33, it is normally spring pressed against the adjacent face of the weight 26. Thus, a tubular sleeve 3l is secured about the shaft 23 by a diametrical pin 35 and constitutes a spring stop. A bow spring36 of suitable form is interposed between the weight 33 and the stop 34. To obtain a balanced thrust and prevent undue tendency to cant, the spring 36 is provided in the form of a bowed, pear-shaped plate having an aperture adjacent one end to receive the shaft 23, and bearing medially against one end of the stop 34.

The eccentric apex of the spring 36 bears centrally against the adjacent face of the weight 33, and preferably seats in an aperture 31 in the latter so as to constrain the weight and the spring for joint rotation about the axis of the shaft 23. Also, struck outwardly at an angle to the normal face of the spring from opposite side edges thereof are two spring arms 38 bearing against the adjacent face of the weight 33. By reason of the spring construction just described, the weight 33 is urged axially along the shaft 23 toward the weight v2 6.

The preferred means for keying the weight 33 in selected angular position of adjustment comprises two projections 39 and 40 which may be reduced extensions of the pins 26 and 29, and which are adapted selectively to engage in an arcuate slot 4| in the weight or against one or the other of the opposite side edges of the weight.

Selective adjustment of the weight 33 may be accomplished by tapping the razor or razor head appropriately against a solid surface. During revolution of the eccentric mass, such tapping will result in a momentary separation of the weight 33 away from the weight 26 sufficiently to clear the ends of the projections 39 and 43.' The spring 36 is tensioned to permit the separation and immediately thereafter to return the weight 33 to normal position.

In operation. assume that the shaft 23 and the weights 26, 30 and 33 are revolving in the direction of the arrows, i. e., clockwise in Figs. 5 to 8. In the position shown in Fig. 5, the projection 39 is located in the slot 4| and in driving engagement with the forward end'thereof. As a result, the Weight 33 is located in superimposed relation with the leading portion of the weight 26 and is being dragged yalong therewith. Although the weight 33 is not centered between the projections 39 and 40, the aggregate mass of the weights is concentrated eccentrically substantially at one side of the axis of rotation so as to produce a relatively large amplitude of vibration.

Upon tapping the razor to effect momentary separation of the weight 33 along the shaft 23 .from the weight 26, the projection 39 will be retracted from the slot 4| and carried forwardly out of the range thereof. When the weight is returned to normal position by the spring 36, it will idle momentarily along until it is picked up and carried along by engagement of the revolving projection 40 with the trailing edge. Thus, the weight 33 is relocated as shown in Fig. 6 to occupy a position more nearly centrally of the projections 39 and 40 than in Fig. 5, thereby concentrating the mass of the weights 26, 30 and 33 with maximum eccentricity rat one side of the axis of rotation so as to obtain maximum amplitude of vibration.

Again jarring the razor to effect a momentary separation of the weight 33 from the weight 26 will cause the projection 40 to pass the trailing edge of the weight 33 and move into registry with the slot 4|. Upon return of the weight 33 to normal position, the projection 40 will enter the slot 4| and move into driving engagement with the forward end thereof as shown in Fig. 7. Thus, the Weight 33 is again relocated, this time with most of its mass disposed at-the side of the axis of rotation opposite that occupied by the weights 26 and. 30. As a result, the eccentricity of the aggregate mass is reduced to obtain an amplitude of vibration less than obtained in the adjustments of Figs. 5 and 6.

Tapping the razor or razor head the fourth ltuile will cause the-weight 13 3 to'assume a ps'itin between ftli'e projections '39 and Misubstantiaily da-medically opposite' the weights 12a and en thereby resulting lin the :Smallest amplitude f vibration.v Y

"It Ywill thus be seen that by tapping [or jarring 'the razor a pred'termined number of times, fthe adjustable weight 33 can be caused to 'occupy different angular positions to detract from 'or 'add to 'the effectiveness of 'the 'Weights 26 and 30. Thus, the weight 33 can be .located in any one of the positions 'shown in Figs. 8, "7, 5 and 6 which establish Yconditions nr :progressively increasing concentration of the eccentric mass 'toliib'ta'in propressivelyf-larger amplitudes `of vibration as may be desirable to satisfy diiferent individual shav- 4ing requirements.

The-selective adjustment of 'the weight at can 'be easily and quickly accomplished without 1direct actuation from the exterior of the casing l0. The

'revolving mass with this vibration adjusting means remains self-contained and fully enclosed.

I claim as my invention:

1. A power operated razor comprising, in combination, a closed tubular casing, a .cutter head fixed on one end of said casing and having a support for an elongated cutting blade, a guard for said blade yieldably connected to said support for relative reciprocatory motion longitudinally of said blade, a driven shaft extending axially of said casing and journalled therein, a driving mechanism in said casing for rotating said shaft, a primary weight secured eccentrically to said shaft adjacent said head and revoluble thereby in an orbital path about the axis of rotation, a centrifugal governor weight operatively mounted on said primary weight for revolution therewith, a secondary weight mounted eccentrically on said shaft adjacent said primary weight for axial shifting movement and for rotary adjustment selectively into different angular positions relative to said primary weight, all said weights being fully enclosed within said casing and inaccessible from the exterior of Isaid casing, axially engageable detent means for normally constraining said secondary weight to revolve in any one of said positions positively with said primary weight, and resilient means acting on said secondary weight to urge said detent means into engagement, said secondary weight being axially movable away from said primary weight in opposition to said resilient means to disengage said detent means in response to an axial jar imparted to the other end of said casing and of greater force than that of said resilient means, said primary weight being revoluble relative to said secondary weight during disengagement of said detent means, whereby momentary disengagement of said detent means is effective to adjust said secondary weight from any one of said positions into the next position.

2. A power operated razor comprising, in combination, a closed tubular casing, a cutter head fixed on one end of said casing and having a support for a cutting blade, a guard for said blade yieldably connected to said support for relative reciprocatory motion, a driven shaft extending axially of said casing and journalled therein for rotation, a primary weight secured eccentrically to said shaft adjacent said head and revoluble thereby in an orbital path about the axis of rotation, a secondary weight mounted eccentrically on said shaft adjacent said primary weight for axial shifting movement and for rotary adjustment selectively into different predetermined ansrv lfg'ula'r1 ilj`s-ltioi'1s relative to 'said primary iv ht, "-releasa'ble detent means foi` normally'cons'tram- Aing *said secondary weight 'torevolv'e in any Vone Vof said positions Vwith said primary weight, resilient means'- normally acting to engage said detent `'ir'rear'is being disenga'geable by movement ofsaid secondary "weight axially away frorr1 s ai d 'primary Weightjagainst the force of vsaid resilient means when subjected to an axialjar of predetermined magnitude, said primary weightb'eing revoluble relative to said vsecondary weight during each disengagement of saidv detent means, vvhereby 'Such jar may be imparted to effect ad:- ju's'tinent of said secondary' weight vfrom any one l of s`a` id positions in to another position. w3. A power operated razor comprising ,lincorrijv'b'natiorfn a closed casing, 'a 'cutter'head fixed 'on 'one end off` said casing and havingfa support `fr a cutting blade, a guard for said blade yieldably connected to said support for relative reciprocatory motion, a driven shaft journalled for rotation in said casing, a primary weight secured eccentrically to said shaft and revoluble thereby in an orbital path, a secondary weight mounted eccentrically on said shaft adjacent said primary weight for axial shifting movement and for rotary adjustment selectively into different angular positions relative to said primary weight, said weights being fully enclosed within said casing, and releasable detent means for normally constraining said secondary weight to revolve in any one of said positions with said primary weight, and being momentarily disengageable in response to a jar, said primary weight being revoluble re1- ative to said secondary weight during each disengagement of said detent means, whereby to effect adjustment of said secondary weight from any one of said positions into another position.

4. A power operated razor comprising, in combination, a closed casing, a cutter head fixed on said casing and having a support for a cutting element, a guard for said blade yieldably connected to said support for relative reciprocatory motion, a driven shaft journalled for rotation in said casing, a primary weight secured eccentrically to said shaft adjacent said head and revoluble thereby in an orbital path, a secondary eccentric weight supported for revolution with said primary weight and for rotary adjustment selectively into different angular positions relative to said primary weight, said weights being fully enclosed within said casing and means for automatically effecting adjustment of said secondary weight into any one of said positions upon subjecting said casing to a jar of predetermined magnitude.

5. A power operated razor comprising, in combination, a closed tubular casing, a cutter head fixed on one end of said casing and having a support for a cutting blade, a guard for said blade yieldably connected to said support for relative reciprocatory motion, a driven shaft extending axially of said casing and journalled therein for rotation, a primary weight secured eccentrically to said shaft adjacent said head and revoluble thereby in an orbital path about the axis of rotation, said primary weight extending through an arc of over a secondary weight mounted eccentrically on said shaft adjacent said primary weight for axial shifting movement and for rotary adjustment selectively into different predetermined angular positions relative to said primary weight, two diametrically opposite drive pins fixed on and projecting from said primary weight axially of said shaft into the path of revolution of said secondary weight, said secondary weight being segmental in shape and being formed with an arcuate slot adapted to receive one or the other of said pins for positive driving engagement, engagement of one of said pins with the trailing side edge of said secondary weight dening one of said positions, engagementof the other of said pins with the leading end of said slot defining the second of said positions, engagement of said other pin with said trailing side edge defining the third of said positions, engagement of said one pin in and with the leading end of said slot dening the fourth position, and resilient spring means acting on said secondary weight in a direction to maintain it in position for coaction with said pins, said secondary weight being shiftable axially against the force of said spring means into position out of the range of said pins, whereby an axial jar imparted to said s l casing of sumcient force -to overcome the force of saidspring means will eiect momentary disengagement of said secondary weight from said pins and permit relative revolution of said primary weight, said secondary weight after each jar and under the force of said spring means being shiftable back into normal position for coaction with said pins in a different relative angular position.

RUSSELL P. HARSHBERGER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the tile of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,0()9,588 Seger Nov. 21, 1911 2,319,815 Harshberger V May 25, 1943 

